At the flicks

Watched Rachel Getting Married last night. Excellent and Anne Hathaway was a revelation. My husband, who works with lots of addicts in his line of work, said the characters -- the addict, co-dependent parent, angry sib -- were written spot on.

Great Terry, will look out for it.
Rewatched The Lives of Others...has to be one of my all-time favourites

Is that Das Leben der Anderen, Mary? Looks like an English version is in development due for release in 2011.

Yes it is Terry...don't know how that would work...the original is absolutely wonderful

Finally saw The Reader I am not its greatest fan. Discuss?

Yep, what didn't you like about it?

I loved it Terry...I thought it told a very poignant story...especially the bit in the court room when she said 'what would you have done?' It raised all sorts of questions on the circumstance of her doing things that she had no choice but to do given the war.

I watched The Devil Wears Prada this evening. I don't think I am ever going to wear anything remotely catwalky...unless fluffy socks count and I have a bit of a height issue. Loved the film, Streep was excellent as usual and the hunky fella belonging to Andy took my wee fancy.

Hey André, I know in some situations you had no choice but to do as you were told, but she (and her cohorts)let women burn to death rather than let them escape. That seemed to me a touch blasé. I also know she had no reading or writing skills, but she still had the choice to do factory or farm labour; she chose to apply for, and then stay, in that job.
I look forward to seeing Good (apart from the delectable Viggo) because that too shows a person's slow slide into moral degeneration during those years.

She also had a choice not to seduce a 15-y-o (which in my country is child molestation in all but a couple of states) for other than her own sexual and literary needs. She had no redeeming qualities whatsoever. I don't buy the "what would you have done" line. The issue for her with the women in the church wasn't even that they would escape, but that there would be chaos, which might look bad for her. Try this: recast the movie in your imagination with a 36-y-o man and a 15-y-o girl and see how you feel about it.

And another thing. My husband -- the one who works with many an addict -- says Anne Hathaway was robbed. Maybe if she'd had a British accent.... How's that for righteous indignation?

Ooh Terry, love the RI. Funnily enough we believe that a US accent is usually a prerequisit for movie honours....
You certainly have a good point with the gender change.

I agree that the line 'what would you have done?' is a powerful and haunting one. I just don't think this situation warranted it's use. I'm trying to remember my Greek Tragedies. Now they really had a handle on such issues. Maybe a situation where you were forced to choose between 2 evils?
I do however think it was a valid point IN THAT COURT, reminding everyone there that in post-war Germany few were totally guilt-free. Her question certainly put some to discomfort.

And to me the point was that she got the life sentence b/c she wouldn't admit her illiteracy, and Fiennes' character should share guilt b/c he didn't speak up for her. But 1) she had the job chosing 10 women a week to die and keeping 300 locked in a burning building rather than admit her illiteracy at the Siemens plant (a factory); and 2) ALL the guards should have gotten life regardless of who wrote the report. 4 years b/c of "what would you have done"? Atrocious.

Saw Seven Pounds with Will Smith. He's wonderful. The movie is enigmatic and has to artfully prepare the viewer for an astounding ending. It succeeds.

I've been mulling over my comments and I think The Reader does fulfil in one respect the essence of a Greek Tragedy in that the fault lay within herself. It was her pride in not revealing her illiteracy that lead to her downfall. Unfortunately there was no followthrough self-realisation, which from memory is a necessary component.
Is it better to think that Germany was populated by 'monsters' or mere humans who slid into moral decay when conditions allowed? The latter is infinitely more terrifying, but, by showing that, do we in some way excuse the inexcusable?

Won free tix to Closed for Winter (always a plus)with the Director giving a Q and A session. It's a small, bleak(?), but redemptive film ( the Director admitted 'it's not everyone's cup of tea'). One of the actors was excorable, but I thought the rest were pretty good. Lots of silence and blank gazing...I enjoyed it. It cost 2.5 million and took 10 years to make (if anyone is interested).

Of course it's the latter, but I don't think that excuses. On the contrary, my moral outrage was that this character, rather than self-realization or remorse, resorted to the "what would you have done" question. Not because she otherwise personally faced death, but because not to choose to act as she did resulted in disorder! That is actually monstrous now that I think about it.

Saw Slumdog Millionaire. I can understand why it was so popular, but it's hard not to slide into thinking about all the kids living that life without a brother and wit and intellect.

Watching Quantum of Solace tonight with my husband. Can't wait.

Terry i think that was the whole point of the movie (in my mind), more than the fact that there was no self-realisation, that she would have failed in her job as a guard if she did let them flee. Period. she could think no further than her responsibility as a prison guard. Hard to fathom how people could reconcile in their own minds perpetrating such unconscionable acts, but perhaps they just don’t think. How else do people inflict such unimaginable cruelty on their fellow human beings? For many – it’s their job to do exactly that, what else are they supposed to do? Wouldn’t you do the same? (rhetorically speaking). Enough indoctrination will do it if you stop thinking for yourself and just ‘do’ or you just do because the circumstances you find yourself in dictates the motivation. By the end of the film why did she take her life? Because he didn’t take her hand or show her any tenderness? I haven’t read the book to fully comprehend the reasons why they both did what they did, if indeed the book sheds any light on the matter…but I think I’ll read it now.

As for QoS - DC has a nice bod.

Boy In the striped Pyjamas - I had forgotten how very depressing the book was until I was watching the story unfold in the movie...I thought the cast very good in a story that is dark and, again, where some of the principal characters have few, if any, redeeming qualities.
Has anyone noticed the number of movies showing currently that deals with the Holocaust? Anyone seen Good with Viggo and Jason Isaacs?

QoS was quite good. Very fast and unlike old Bond films, had to pay attention to keep up with the plot. As with the last film, trust was a big issue.

New York Times had this to say about Good: “How and why [Viggo’s character could become a Nazi] is never satisfactorily addressed, unless you accept that he’s a moral vacuum, in which case why write a play about such a nonentity?” (Sounds like my critique of The Reader.) Mike LaSalle thought it stank and was particularly offended by a concentration camp scene populated by healthy-looking actors. The worst he'd ever seen, he said.

And btw, Billy, hullo! Nice to have your input back.

And I'm assuming, based on your comments about TBitSPJs that Mary and I should steer clear, given that we both deliberately passed on The Changling.

Hi! First time I've posted here (I don't get out much!) but, re your comment on The Changeling: I went out with my sister, and she wanted to see this movie. It didn't really sound like my cup of tea, but I went along - halfway through she turned to me and whispered, "I'm SO sorry!" Not that it was a bad movie, and I thought Angelina was surprisingly good, but talk about depressing! We actually HAD to go to the Pancake Parlour afterwards, and neither of us needed that at all!

I believe that there is indeed a large number of books and films now that re-examine the Holocaust from a slightly more 'favourable' perspective, eg the baddies were not really evil, just lost or misguided souls. The Kindly Ones is one book generating much controversy O/S. They appear to show characters sliding into moray decay and there is no sense of any overriding moral value. Is this a sign of the times?

Hey Judy, nice to see you here. Great to see some 'cross-forum' dialogue

We don't get out much either but wife & I saw The Boat That Rocked with friends who were in the UK at the time at which the movie is set last night. Loved the music and as the story line was almost non existant how could you dislike it. Gold class with a couple of glasses of wine seems to improve a movie no end. Left the cinema smiling which is my requirement for an enjoyable night.

Wine with or pancakes afterwards. Tough call. Wait, though. Before someone else says it....why not both.
Saw The Wrestler last night. Mickey Rourk was fierce and should have won the academy award. Marisa Tomei as the stripper strips and boy does she look G-R-E-A=T. In spite of ambiguous ending, I highly recommend for Rourk's bravura performance.

I saw Good. I liked it. The character was weak, hid behind his pose of academic distance, and got suckered in over his depth. I loved the final scene where he stood in his SS Officer's uniform (only honourary!)in a concentration camp (for the first time)and realised what he had allowed to happen by his own inertia and vanity. At least he did see, albeit too late.

I also saw Mary and Max, a delightful claymation about 2 lonely people who connect. Famous people voice the parts (PSH, Toni Collette, Barry Humphries). Not a film to see if you are down, but well worth seeing.

Went to imdb.com and it doesn't appear that The Boat that Rocked has made it to the U.S. Mary and Max opened the Sundance Film Festival (Robert Redford's), but otherwise not released here either. The efilmcritic said it was a smash hit there, so hopefully we'll get to see it eventually.

Looking for another movie to see which is a no brainer. Is The Proposal worth seeing with a glass or two of wine and not pancakes but a mixed cheese platter with crackers, dried fruit and quince jelly. You can tell we're not intellectuals can't you.
Son and DIL saw The Boat That Rocked on Saturday and despite their age (mid 20's)loved the music.

Hey Saylz, I believe the sound track of TBTR is going to earn them a fortune. Babyboomers are flocking to hear the music, and even young'uns appreciate the classics. SlumDog Millionaire is a great feel-good movie. Haven't heard of The Proposal, doesn't seem to be on here...sorry

The Proposal that stars Sandra Bullock and isn't due for release until mid-June? I'd watch Sandra Bullock read the Yellow Pages, but you've got quite a wait. In the meantime, why not Duplicity with Clive Owen and Julia Roberts? It got good reviews, but who cares with those two to watch making smoke for a coupla hours?

Not a JR fan, but could happily watch CO for a coupla hours/days/weeks......with or without a cheese platter....

strategically placed...of course.....

I can't believe you said that about the JR! What is it you don't like?